Spring steel sleeve design

ABSTRACT

A spring includes a first spring arm extending from the first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extending from the flat base, a first straight portion extending from the first arcuate portion and disposed proximate to the rear face, the first straight portion defining a first obtuse angle with the rear face, and a first straight portion length.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to retaining mechanisms employed on workimplement assemblies such as bucket assemblies used by earth moving,mining, construction equipment and the like for attaching a tip to anadapter of the work implement assembly. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to a retaining mechanism that uses a spring steelsleeve design to hold a retainer of the retaining mechanism in a lockedor unlocked configuration.

BACKGROUND

Machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, and the like employ workimplement assemblies including bucket assemblies, rakes, shears, etc.that have teeth or tips attached to them to help perform work on amaterial such as dirt, rock, sand, etc. For example, teeth or tips maybe attached to a bucket assembly to help the bucket assembly topenetrate the ground, facilitating the scooping of the dirt into abucket. Adapters are often attached to the work edges (e.g. the baseedge, the side edge, etc.) of the bucket or other work implement so thatdifferent styles of teeth or tips may be attached to the work implement.Also, the tips or teeth may be replaced easily when worn by providing aretaining mechanism that is used to selectively hold the tip onto theadapter or to allow the tip be removed from the adapter.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,243 B2 discloses a wear assembly for use on variouskinds of earth working equipment that includes a base with a supportingportion, a wear member with a cavity into which the supporting portionis received, and a lock to releasably secure the wear member to thebase. The supporting portion is formed with the top and bottom recessesthat receive complementary projections of the wear member. Theserecesses and projections include aligned holes so as to receive andposition the lock centrally within the wear assembly and remote from thewear surface. The lock includes a mounting component that defines athreaded opening for receiving a threaded pin that is used to releasablyhold the wear member to the base. A retaining clip is provided toprevent rotation of the mounting component.

However, the retaining clip in the '243 patent does not solve allproblems associated with the retaining mechanisms such as preventing thepacking of mud or other material into the retaining mechanism, which mayhinder its performance. Furthermore, the retaining clip in the '243 mayincrease the force necessary to unlock the retaining mechanism to anundesirable extent, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A spring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprisesa folded body including a flat base defining a front face, a rear face,a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and aflat base thickness measured from the front face to the rear face; and afirst spring arm extending from the first side edge of the flat base,the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extendingrearwardly from the flat base, a first straight portion extending fromthe first arcuate portion and disposed proximate to the rear face, thefirst straight portion defining a first external obtuse angle with therear face, and a first straight portion length.

A spring according to another embodiment of the present disclosurecomprises a folded body including a flat base defining a front face, arear face, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, a bottomedge; and a first spring arm extending from the first side edge of theflat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portionextending rearwardly from the flat base, a first straight portionextending from the first arcuate portion and disposed proximate to therear face, and a second arcuate portion extending rearwardly from thefirst straight portion, and a second straight portion extending from thesecond arcuate portion and disposed proximate to the first straightportion such that the first spring arm forms a first serpentine path.

A spring loaded retainer according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure comprises a lug receiving portion defining a first maximumoutside dimension, the lug receiving portion also defining a lugreceiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion,forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surfaceconnecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall; a drive portiondefining a second maximum outside dimension; and a first flat disposedon the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the firstsidewall or the second sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work implement assembly such as abucket assembly using tips, adapters, and retaining mechanisms withcomponents configured according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tip and adapter subassembly of FIG. 1,shown in isolation from the work implement assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the tip of FIG. 2 without theadapter, showing a retaining mechanism and its components according toan embodiment of the present disclosure in a locked configuration.

FIG. 4 is a rear sectional view of the tip of FIG. 3 without anyretaining mechanism being shown, revealing more clearly the retainingmechanism receiving apertures of the tip.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the tip of FIG. 4 illustrating aretaining mechanism and its components being assembled into theretaining mechanism receiving aperture of the tip. The spring loadedretainer is shown in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 6 depicts the retaining mechanism of FIG. 5 fully assembled intothe retaining mechanism receiving aperture of the tip. The spring loadedretainer is shown in the unlocked configuration.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the tip and the spring loaded retainer of FIG.6 with the spring loaded retainer being rotated into a lockingconfiguration.

FIG. 8 is a rear sectional view similar to FIG. 6 except that the springloaded retainer is now in the unlocked configuration and a second springis being inserted into the retaining mechanism receiving aperture withthe spring loaded retainer in the unlocked configuration.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the spring loaded retainer of FIGS. 5thru 8 shown in isolation. Two flats are employed for this embodiment ofthe spring loaded retainer.

FIG. 10 is a flat pattern of the spring of FIGS. 5 thru 8 before beingbent into a desired shape.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spring of FIGS. 5 thru 8 afterbeing bent into a desired shape.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the spring of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged top view of the spring of FIG. 11 showingthe configuration of a spring arm that extends from the base of thespring more clearly.

FIG. 14 illustrates two springs that are identically configured to thespring of FIG. 11 used to hold a spring loaded retainer according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure with only one flat.

FIG. 15 illustrates a spring contacting a spring loaded retainertangentially such as shown on the right side of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates the upward movement of the spring, contacting theflat of the spring loaded retainer such as shown on the left side ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 17 shows an insert being inserted into the spring of FIG. 11between the spring arms of the spring and the base of the spring.

FIG. 18 shows the spring with the insert of FIG. 17 fully assembled.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 2 shown inisolation, revealing the rail disposed behind the lug on the nose of theadapter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged side detail view of the lug and the rail on thenose of adapter of FIG. 19 so that the arcuate profile of the frontportion of the rail may be more clearly seen.

FIG. 21 shows a spring loaded retainer mounted on the lug of the nose ofthe adapter of FIG. 20, illustrating how the arcuate profile of thefront portion of the rail allows the spring loaded retainer to rotatewhile helping to prevent mud or other debris from entering the tip frombehind the tip.

FIG. 22 is a rear sectional view of the tip and adapter of FIG. 2 thatenhances the understanding of how the perimeter of the nose and thepresence of the rails of the adapter help prevent mud or other debrisfrom entering the adapter nose receiving pocket of the tip withoutinterfering with the assembly of the tip onto the nose of the adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a referencenumber will be indicated in this specification and the drawings willshow the reference number followed by a letter for example, 100 a, 100 bor a prime indicator such as 100′, 100″ etc. It is to be understood thatthe use of letters or primes immediately after a reference numberindicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similarfunction such as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about aplane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification,letters or primes will often not be included herein but may be shown inthe drawings to indicate duplications of features discussed within thiswritten specification.

A work implement assembly using tips according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure will now be discussed.

Starting with FIG. 1, the work implement assembly 100 may take the formof a bucket assembly 100′ that may be used by a wheel loader and thatincludes an enclosure 101 that defines an opening 102 that communicateswith a generally enclosed interior. Starting from the rear of the bucketassembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1, the bucket assembly 100 includes acurved shell profile 104, which is attached to a rear wall 106 at thetop end of the shell 104. The other end of the shell is attached to thebottom plate 108 of the assembly 100. A top plate 110 is attached to thetop end of the rear wall 106. The top plate 110 transitions to a spillguard 112 that is designed to funnel material into the interior of thebucket and prevent material from spilling out of the bucket. Reinforcingribs 118 are provided that are attached to the top plate 110 and thespill guard 112, providing reinforcement for strength. Two substantiallyflat end plates 114 are attached to the side edges of the spill guard112, top plate 110, rear wall 106, bottom plate 108 and shell 104.

A side edge assembly 115 is attached to each end plate 114 while a frontedge assembly 116 is attached to the front edge of the bottom plate 108of the bucket assembly 100. The front edge assembly 116 includes a baseedge 117 that is attached to the bottom plate 108, a plurality of centeradapters 118 attached to the base edge 117, and a plurality of tips 200(may also be referred to as tools, teeth, etc.) with each one of theplurality of tips 200 being attached to one of the plurality of centeradapters 118. Also, two corner adapters 120 are also attached to thebase edge and the side edges 122 of the bucket assembly 100′. Tip 200may also be attached to the corner adapters 120.

Moreover, a plurality of base edge protectors 124 are also provided witheach one of the base edge protectors 124 positioned between centeradapters 120 and between a center adapter 120 and a corner adapter 120.A side edge protector 126 is also provided that is attached to the sideedge 122 proximate to a corner adapter 120.

It is to be understood that the work implement assembly may take otherforms other than a bucket assembly including rake assemblies, shearassemblies, etc. In addition, a differently configured bucket that ismeant to be used by an excavator may also use various embodiments of atip, retaining mechanism, adapter, spring, spring loaded retainer, tipassembly, and tip and adapter assembly, etc. as will be discussedherein.

A tip 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will nowbe discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 thru 8, 15, and 16 that may beused with a spring loaded retainer 300 and a spring 400 according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Starting with FIGS. 2 thru 6, the tip 200 may comprise a body 202 thatdefines a longitudinal axis 204, a vertical axis 206 that isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204, and a lateral axis 208 thatis perpendicular to the vertical axis 206, and the longitudinal axis204. The body 202 may include a forward working portion 210 disposedalong the longitudinal axis 204 including a closed end 212, and a rearattachment portion 214 disposed along the longitudinal axis 204including an open end 216. As best seen in FIG. 4, the body 202 maydefine a vertical plane of symmetry 228. This may not be the case inother embodiments of the present disclosure.

Focusing on FIGS. 3 thru 6, the rear attachment portion 214 defines anexterior surface 218, an adapter nose receiving pocket 220 extendinglongitudinally from the open end 216, and a retaining mechanismreceiving aperture 222 in communication with the adapter nose receivingpocket 220 and the exterior surface 218. An adapter nose lug receivinggroove 224 may extend longitudinally from the open end 216 to theretaining mechanism receiving aperture 222. At least one springreceiving slot 226 may be in communication with the retaining mechanismreceiving aperture 222 and the adapter nose receiving pocket 220.

Looking at FIG. 5, the at least one spring receiving slot 226 includes aspring base receiving portion 228 extending laterally from the adapternose receiving pocket 220 and terminating at a vertical face 230. Also,a spring arm receiving portion 232 may extend vertically from the springbase receiving portion 228 and terminate laterally at a first verticalsurface 234 disposed laterally between the adapter nose receiving pocket220 and the vertical face 230. The spring arm receiving portion 232 mayalso terminate laterally at a second vertical surface 236 disposedlaterally between the first vertical surface 234 and the vertical face230 of the adapter nose receiving pocket 220.

The body 202 may define an upper vertical extremity 238 of the retainingmechanism receiving aperture 222, and a lower vertical extremity 240 ofthe retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222. The at least one springreceiving slot 226 may be disposed proximate to the upper verticalextremity 238 or the lower vertical extremity 240. In some embodimentssuch as shown in FIG. 5, two such slots are provided with one at theupper vertical extremity and one at the lower vertical extremity.

In some embodiments, the at least one spring receiving slot 226 may bedisposed proximate to the lower vertical extremity 240. The body 202 mayinclude a lead-in surface 242 (e.g. a fillet or a chamfer, etc.)extending from the adapter nose receiving pocket 220 to the spring basereceiving portion 228 of the at least one spring receiving slot 226.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the retaining mechanism receivingaperture 222 includes a first cylindrical portion 244 extending from theexterior surface 218, a second cylindrical portion 246 extending fromthe adapter nose receiving pocket 222 to the first cylindrical portion244. Hence, the adapter nose receiving pocket 220 is in communicationwith the exterior of the tip 220 through the retaining mechanismreceiving aperture 222. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the firstcylindrical portion 244 defines a first cylindrical portion radius 248,and the second cylindrical portion 246 defines a second cylindricalportion radius 250 that is greater than first cylindrical portion radius248, forming the vertical face 230. Other configurations are possible inother embodiments of the present disclosure.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, a tip assembly 500 according toan embodiment of the present disclosure will now be discussed. The tipassembly 500 may comprise a tip 200 that is configured similarly to whathas just been previously described herein. In addition, looking at FIGS.3, 5 and 6, the tip assembly 500 may comprise a spring loaded retainer300 that is disposed in the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222.The spring loaded retainer 300 may be configured to be accessible fromthe exterior surface 218 so that a user may use a tool to drive orrotate the spring loaded retainer from an unlocked to a lockedconfiguration, or vice versa. A spring 400 may be disposed in the atleast one spring receiving slot 226 such that the spring 400 isinterposed vertically between the body 202 of the tip 200 and the springloaded retainer 300.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the spring 400 may also include a flange portion 402disposed laterally between spring loaded retainer 300 and the adapternose receiving pocket 220, helping to keep the spring loaded retainer300 properly retained in the tip 200. Also, the spring 400 may includeat least one spring arm 404 vertically disposed in the spring armreceiving portion 232 of the at least one spring receiving slot 226, andlaterally proximate to the first vertical surface 234. Hence, the spring400 is biased to be held in position while also holding the springloaded retainer 300 in position. A base 406 may be disposed in thespring base receiving portion 228 of the at least one spring receivingslot 226. The base 406 may contact the spring loaded retainer 300,helping to take up any stack up tolerances between the spring loadedretainer 300 and the tip 200, and to cause resistance fromunintentionally rotating the spring loaded retainer 300, etc. The springarm receiving portion 232 also terminates laterally at a second verticalsurface 236 disposed laterally between the first vertical surface 234and the vertical face 230 of the adapter nose receiving pocket 220, andthe at least one spring arm 404 is disposed laterally proximate to thesecond vertical surface 236, helping to prevent movement of the spring400 toward the exterior of the tip 200.

In FIG. 6, the base 406 of the spring 400 may be spaced laterally awayfrom the vertical face 230 a predetermined distance 502 ranging from 0mm to 6.5 mm. This distance may be varied to be different in otherembodiments of the present disclosure, or the base 406 may contact thevertical face 230 in other embodiments of the present disclosure such aswhen the second vertical surface 236 is coextensive with the verticalface 230.

The at least one spring receiving slot 226 may take the form of a firstspring receiving slot 226′ disposed proximate to the lower verticalextremity 240 of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222. The atleast one spring 400 may include a first spring 400′ that is disposed inthe first spring receiving slot 226′ disposed proximate to the lowervertical extremity 240. The body 202 of the tip 200 may include alead-in surface 242 extending from the adapter nose receiving pocket 220to the spring base receiving portion 228 of the at least one springreceiving slot 226.

A second spring receiving slot 226″ may be disposed proximate to theupper vertical extremity 238, and a second spring 400″ may be disposedin the second spring receiving slot 226″ that also contacts the springloaded retainer 300.

The first spring 400′ may be identical to the second spring 400″ but notnecessarily so. Likewise, the first spring receiving slot 226′ may besimilarly configured as the second spring receiving slot 226′. That isto say, the slots are virtually identical except that they are boundedby an angled surface 252 forming the adapter nose receiving pocket sothat the second spring receiving slot looks slightly different than thefirst spring receiving slot. This may not be the case in otherembodiments and the configurations of the various springs and theirassociated slots may be tailored as needed to be different than what isshown in FIG. 6 for other applications, etc.

For example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the spring loaded retainer 300 includes afirst flat 302 and the base 406 of the spring 400 contacts the firstflat 302 of the spring loaded retainer 300. Furthermore, the springloaded retainer 300 may include a second flat 304 and the second spring400″ may contact the second flat 304. In such an embodiment, FIG. 5illustrates how the springs 400′, 400″ may be assembled into the tip 200by rotating the spring loaded retainer 300 so that its flats 302, 304are positioned at the top and bottom positions. So, interference betweenthe springs 400′, 400″ and the spring loaded retainer 300 is minimized,reducing the amount of assembly force necessary.

FIGS. 8 and 14 illustrate that when two springs 400′, 400″ are used witha spring loaded retainer 300 having only one flat 302, it is easier toassemble one spring 400′ after the flat 302 is aligned with the slotinto which the spring is going to be inserted. Once the first spring400′ is properly assembled, then the spring loaded retainer 300 isrotated so that the flat 302 is oriented with the opposite slot, easingthe assembly of the second spring 400″ into that slot, or vice versa.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an embodiment where only a single spring 400 andflat 302 on the spring loaded retainer 300 are used. Specifically, FIG.15 illustrates a spring 400 contacting a spring loaded retainer 300tangentially such as shown on the right side of FIG. 14, while FIG. 16illustrates the movement of the spring 400, contacting the flat 302 ofthe spring loaded retainer 300 such as shown on the left side of FIG.14. When assembling the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, it iseasiest to have the flat 302 oriented as shown in FIG. 16. Arrow 504indicates that spring arm movement causes the spring 400 to be trappedin the slot 226′.

Looking at FIGS. 3 and 9, various features of a spring loaded retainer300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now bedescribed. The spring loaded retainer 300 may comprise a lug receivingportion 306 defining a first maximum outside dimension 308, and a lugreceiving slot 310 that extends partially through the lug receivingportion 306, forming a first sidewall 312, a second sidewall 312′, and acatch surface 314 (so called as it contacts or nearly contacts the lugof the adapter in use) connecting the first sidewall 312 to the secondsidewall 312′. The spring loaded retainer 300 may also include a driveportion 316 defining a second maximum outside dimension 318. A firstflat 302 may be disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion 306proximate to the first sidewall 312 or the second sidewall 312′.

More particularly when looking at FIG. 9, the lug receiving portion 306may include a lug receiving cylindrical portion 320 including an outsidecylindrical surface 322 defining a radial direction 324, acircumferential direction 326, and a cylindrical axis 328. In such anembodiment, the first maximum outside dimension 308 may take the form ofan outside cylindrical surface diameter 330 (see also FIG. 8). Also, andthe drive portion 316 may include a drive cylindrical portion 332, andthe second maximum outside dimension 318 may take the form of a drivecylindrical portion diameter 334 that is less than the outsidecylindrical surface diameter 330 of the lug receiving cylindricalportion 320. The configurations of these features may be something otherthan cylindrical in other embodiments such as conical, etc.

Still referring to FIG. 9, the first flat 302 may be disposed on theoutside cylindrical surface 322, and may be circumferentially alignedwith the first sidewall 312 as shown. Optionally, the spring loadedretainer 300 may further comprise a second flat 304 disposed on theoutside cylindrical surface 322 that is also circumferentially alignedwith the second sidewall 312′. A stop projection 336 may extend axiallyaway from the drive portion 316 that is circumferentially aligned withthe first flat 302. Other configurations are possible.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 thru 13, a spring 400 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure will now be discussed.

FIG. 10 shows that the manufacture of the spring 400 may start with aflat pattern 408 made from a metal (e.g. spring steel) that is bent viaa progressive stamping die process or similar fabrication technique intothe desired final shape. The flat pattern 408 is shown with bend regions410 indicated that are turned by the folding process into the variousarcuate portions of the spring 400 as will now be described.

In FIGS. 11 thru 13, the spring 400 may be turned into a folded body 412including a flat base 406′ defining a front face 414, a rear face 416, afirst side edge 418, a second side edge 420, a top edge 422, a bottomedge 424, and a flat base thickness 426 (minimum dimension, see FIG. 13)measured from the front face 414 to the rear face 416 ranging from 0.25mm to 1.5 mm.

A first spring arm 428 may extend from the first side edge 418 of theflat base 406′. As best seen in FIG. 13, the first spring arm 428 mayinclude a first arcuate portion 430 extending rearwardly from the flatbase 406′, and a first straight portion 432 extending from the firstarcuate portion 430 that is disposed proximate to the rear face 416.That is to say the first spring arm 428 is first folded toward the flatbase 406′. The first straight portion 432 may define a first externalobtuse angle 434 with the rear face 416 ranging from 120 degrees to 170degrees, and a first straight portion length 436 ranging from 4.0 mm to7.0 mm. Other configurations and dimensions are possible for any ofthese features in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to FIG. 13, the spring 400 may further comprisea second arcuate portion 438 extending rearwardly from the firststraight portion 432, and a second straight portion 440 extending fromthe second arcuate portion 438 that is disposed proximate to the firststraight portion 432. The second straight portion 440 may define asecond external obtuse angle 442 with the first straight portion 432ranging from 110 degrees to 160 degrees, and a second straight portionlength 444 ranging from 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Hence, the first spring arm428 extends along a first serpentine path from the flat base 406′. Otherconfigurations are possible.

The spring 400 may further comprise a third arcuate portion 446extending forwardly from the second straight portion 440, and a thirdstraight portion 448 extending from the third arcuate portion 446 thatis disposed proximate to the first arcuate portion 430. The thirdstraight portion 448 may define a first external acute angle 450 withthe second straight portion 440 ranging from 20 degrees to 60 degrees,and a third straight portion length 452 ranging from 0.75 mm to 3.0 mm.So, a downward ramp angled toward the outside of the spring is formedthat may aid in installing the spring 400 into the tip.

FIG. 13 depicts that the flat base 406′ may define a midplane 454disposed between the first side edge 418, and the second side edge 420.The spring 400 may be symmetrical about the midplane 454 such that asecond spring arm may extend from the second side edge of the flat base,forming a second serpentine path. This may not be the base for otherembodiments. For example, there may only be one spring arm provided ordifferently configured spring arms may be provided, etc.

As alluded to earlier herein, FIGS. 11 thru 13 show that the spring 400may have a flange portion 402 extending from bottom edge 424 of the flatbase 406′. The flange portion 402 includes a flange arcuate portion 456extending from the bottom edge 424, and a flange straight portion 458extending from flange arcuate portion 456. The flange straight portion458 defines a right angle 460 with the flat base 406′. The flangestraight portion 458 may define a flange straight portion length 462ranging from 2.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Other configurations and dimensions arepossible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 11, the folded body 412 may also define a first bend reliefcutout 464 disposed along the first side edge 418 between the firstspring arm 428, and the bottom edge 424. A second bend relief cutout 466may also be disposed along the second side edge 420 between the secondspring arm 468 and the bottom edge 424.

Looking at FIG. 12, the flat base 406′ may define a flat base verticallength 470 measured from the top edge 422 to the bottom edge 424 rangingfrom 14.0 mm to 20.5 mm, and a flat base horizontal width 472 measuredfrom the first side edge 418 to the second side edge 420 ranging from10.0 mm to 14.0 mm.

In FIGS. 17 and 18, an insert 474 may be disposed between the first andthe second spring arms 428, 468 and the flat base 406′, being pressedagainst the rear face 416 of the flat base 406′ by the first and thesecond spring arms 428, 468. The insert 474 may comprise at least one ofthe following materials: Cellasto®, rubber, and foam. If foam isemployed, the foam may be bonded to the flat base 406′. The insert 474may help to prevent mud or other debris from infiltrating into thespring 400, which may hinder its performance.

FIGS. 2, and 19 thru 22 show an adapter 600 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure with features that may help prevent mudpacking or other debris from infiltrating into the adapter nosereceiving pocket of the tip after the tip has been assembled onto theadapter. While a version of the adapter shown in these figures is acenter adapter, it is to be understood that the adapter may have otherconfigurations including as a corner adapter, etc. Also, the adapter maydefine a midplane of symmetry as shown in the figures but notnecessarily so in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

In FIGS. 2 and 19, the adapter 600 may comprise a body 602 that includesa nose portion 604 including a lug 606 extending from the nose portion604. The body 602 may also include a first leg 608, a second leg 610,and a throat portion 612 that connects the legs 608, 610 and the noseportion 604 together. The first and the second legs 608, 610 and thethroat portion 612 define a slot 614 that includes a closed end 616 andan open end 618. Thus, the slot 614 defines a direction of assembly 620onto a work implement, a lateral direction 622 that is perpendicular tothe direction of assembly 620, and a vertical direction 624 that isperpendicular to the direction of assembly 620 and the lateral direction622.

Focusing on FIGS. 19 and 20, the nose portion 604 may further include arail 626 disposed behind the lug 606 along the direction of assembly620. The rail 626 may include a front arcuate surface 628 defining afront arcuate surface radius of curvature 630 ranging from 21.0 mm to25.0 mm. The front arcuate surface 628 may be spaced away from the lug606 a first minimum distance 632 ranging from 7.0 mm to 12.0 mm.

As best seen in FIG. 22, the rail 626 defines a lateral height 634ranging from 10.0 mm to 16.0 mm, and a vertical width 636 ranging from25.0 mm to 32.0 mm.

As best seen in FIG. 20, the rail 626 defines a rail length 638 alongthe direction of assembly 620 ranging from 38.0 mm to 48.0 mm, andincludes a rear portion 640 with a rear blend 642 connecting the lug 606to the throat portion 612.

It is to be understood that the configuration and dimensions associatedwith these features may be varied to be different in other embodimentsof the present disclosure.

Referring again to FIG. 22, a tip and adapter assembly 700 according toan embodiment of the present disclosure may be characterized as follows.The tip and adapter assembly 700 may comprise a tip 200 and an adapter600 with similar or identical configurations as previously discussedherein. The tip and adapter assembly 700 may further includes a springloaded retainer 300, 300′ mounted on the lug (see FIGS. 2 and 21).

As best seen in FIG. 21, the rail 626 may be spaced away from the springloaded retainer 300, 300′ a first minimum clearance distance 702 rangingfrom 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm. This may help to ensure that the spring loadedretainer is free to rotate as needed.

In FIG. 22, it can be seen that the rail 626 may be spaced away from thetip 200 in the adapter nose lug receiving groove 220 of the tip 200 asecond minimum clearance distance 704 ranging from 1.0 mm to 6.0 mm.This may help to ensure that the tip can be installed onto the adapterwithout interference while also helping to limit mud packing or otherdebris from entering into the adapter nose receiving pocket of the tip.

Again, it should be noted that any of the dimensions, angles, surfaceareas and/or configurations of various features may be varied as desiredor needed including those not specifically mentioned herein. Althoughnot specifically discussed, blends such as fillets are shown to connectthe various surfaces. These may be omitted in other embodiments and itis to be understood that their presence may be ignored sometimes whenreading the present specification unless specifically mentioned.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In practice, a machine, a work implement assembly, a tip, an adapter, atip assembly, a tip and adapter assembly, a spring, a spring loadedretainer, and/or any combination of these various assemblies andcomponents may be manufactured, bought, or sold to retrofit a machine ora work implement assembly in the field in an aftermarket context, oralternatively, may be manufactured, bought, sold or otherwise obtainedin an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) context.

Any of the aforementioned components may be made from any suitablematerial including iron, grey-cast iron, steel, spring steel, plastic,rubber, foam, etc.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examplesof the disclosed assembly and technique. However, it is contemplatedthat other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail fromthe foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examplesthereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussedat that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to thescope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction anddisparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate alack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from thescope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of theapparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of thisdisclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the variousembodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may beconstructed and function differently than what has been described hereinand certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an orderthat is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in somecases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variationsor modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodimentsmay be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects ofvarious embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features oraspects of other embodiments in order to provide still furtherembodiments.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by thedisclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spring comprising: a folded body including aflat base defining a front face, a rear face, a first side edge, asecond side edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a flat base thicknessmeasured from the front face to the rear face; and a first spring armextending from the first side edge of the flat base, the first springarm including a first arcuate portion extending rearwardly from the flatbase, a first straight portion extending from the first arcuate portionand disposed proximate to the rear face, the first straight portiondefining a first external obtuse angle with the rear face, and a firststraight portion length, and a second arcuate portion extendingrearwardly from the first straight portion, and a second straightportion extending from the second arcuate portion; wherein the secondstraight portion defines a second straight portion length, and amajority of the second straight portion length is disposed horizontallybetween the first side edge and the second side edge, the first externalobtuse angle ranges from 120 degrees to 170 degrees, and the firststraight portion length ranges from 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm, and furtherdefining a second external obtuse angle with the first straight portionranging from 110 degrees to 160 degrees forming a first serpentine path,and the second straight portion length ranging from 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm. 2.The spring of claim 1 wherein the flat base thickness measures from 0.25mm to 1.5 mm.
 3. The spring of claim 2 further comprising a thirdarcuate portion extending forwardly from the second straight portion,and a third straight portion extending from the third arcuate portionand disposed proximate to the first arcuate portion, the third straightportion defining a first external acute angle with the second straightportion ranging from 20 degrees to 60 degrees forming a ramp, and athird straight portion length ranging from 0.75 mm to 3.0 mm.
 4. Thespring of claim 1 wherein the flat base defines a midplane disposedbetween the first side edge and the second side edge, and the spring issymmetrical about the midplane.
 5. The spring of claim 1 furthercomprising a flange portion extending forwardly from the bottom edge ofthe flat base, and lacking a flange extending from top edge of the flatbase.
 6. The spring of claim 5 wherein the flange portion includes aflange arcuate portion extending from the bottom edge, and a flangestraight portion extending from flange arcuate portion, the flangestraight portion defining a right angle with the flat base.
 7. Thespring of claim 6 wherein the flange straight portion defines a flangestraight portion length ranging from 2.0 mm to 5.0 mm.
 8. The spring ofclaim 6 wherein the folded body defines a first bend relief cutoutdisposed along the first side edge between the first spring arm and thebottom edge.
 9. The spring of claim 8 further comprising a second springarm extending from the second side edge and wherein the folded bodyfurther defines a second bend relief cutout disposed along the secondside edge between the second spring arm and the bottom edge.
 10. Thespring of claim 1 wherein the flat base defines a flat base verticallength measured from the top edge to the bottom edge ranging from 14.0mm to 20.5 mm, and a flat base horizontal width measured from the firstside edge to the second side edge ranging from 10.0 mm to 14.0 mm. 11.The spring of claim 9 further comprising an insert disposed between thefirst and the second spring arms and the flat base, being pressedagainst the rear face of the flat base by the first and the secondspring arms.
 12. The spring of claim 11 wherein the insert comprises atleast one of the following materials: polyurethane elastomer, rubber,and foam.
 13. The spring of claim 12 wherein the foam is bonded to theflat base.
 14. A spring comprising: a folded body including a flat basedefining a front face, a rear face, a first side edge, a second sideedge, a top edge, a bottom edge; a first spring arm extending from thefirst side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a firstarcuate portion extending rearwardly from the flat base, a firststraight portion extending from the first arcuate portion and disposedproximate to the rear face, and a second arcuate portion extendingrearwardly from the first straight portion, and a second straightportion extending from the second arcuate portion and disposed proximateto the first straight portion such that the first spring arm forms afirst serpentine path; and an insert disposed between the first springarm, and the flat base, the insert being pressed against the rear faceof the flat base by the first spring arm; wherein the second straightportion terminates horizontally between the first arcuate portion andthe second side edge.
 15. The spring of claim 14 wherein the flat basedefines a midplane disposed between the first side edge and the secondside edge, and the spring is symmetrical about the midplane such that asecond spring arm extends from the second side edge of the flat base,the second spring arm forms a second serpentine path.
 16. The spring ofclaim 14 further comprising a third arcuate portion extending forwardlyfrom the second straight portion, the third arcuate portion beingdisposed horizontally proximate to the first arcuate portion, and athird straight portion extending from the third arcuate portion and thatis disposed horizontally proximate to the first arcuate portion, forminga ramp; wherein the insert the insert comprises at least one of thefollowing materials: polyurethane elastomer, rubber, and foam.